Obituaries

George Tupper Swaim, 90, of Manteno, died peacefully at home, in the company of his loving wife, Alice, March 16, 2012. Cremation rites were accorded and memorial services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Kankakee Valley, the YMCA, or to St. Mark United Methodist Church in Kankakee.

George was born Jan. 5, 1922, in Gibson City. He graduated from Kankakee High School in 1939 and continued his education at the University of Illinois, where he graduated first with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1943. That same year, he joined the U.S. Navy and attended the Columbia University’s Midshipmen’s School. Upon completion, he received the commission of ensign. He proudly served his country for three years, spending 18 months overseas and was involved in the securing of the Solomon Islands and two invasions of the Philippines. While in the Navy, he was commissioned to lieutenant commander. Upon graduation from the University of Illinois in 1950 with a Master of Arts degree, he attended Tulane University Law School, graduating in 1953 with a Juris Doctor degree. While at Tulane, he was elected student body president.

Frank M. Covey Jr. of Barrington Frank M. Covey Jr., 79, formerly of Mount Prospect, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 18, 2012. Frank was born Oct. 24, 1932, in Chicago.

He was a dedicated husband, loving father, accomplished lawyer and law professor. He was a person of the upmost moral character who in his career, with his family or in any aspect of his life placed everyone ahead of himself. He met the love of his life, Patricia, in high school during a debate. He represented Loyola Academy and she represented Aquinas High School. Thirteen years later they reunited through a random encounter at the famed Chicago restaurant, The Bergoff. After much trepidation, Patricia asked her twin sister to call Frank and pretend it was her. Frank called Pat back and asked her out. One year later they were engaged and then married at St. Phillip Neri on Chicago's south shore. Frank and Pat celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past October.

Professor Covey joined the School of Law faculty in 1988 as a visiting professor of law and retired in 2002. After graduating from law school, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable U.S. Schwartz of the Illinois Appellate Court, then spent one year as a teaching associate at Northwestern Law School. From 1960 to 1988, he was in practice in Chicago with McDermott, Will & Emery. He had chaired a number of committees and sections of the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

Richard E. "Rick" Barber, 59, passed away Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, at his home in Galesburg.

Rick was born July 21, 1952, in Champaign, to Mabel C. (Entwistle) Barber and Marion E. Barber. He graduated in 1974 from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in communications. While at Illinois, Rick met his future wife, Mary Hanlon, and the two were married in 1974.

Rick received a J.D. in 1979 from the University of Tulsa College of Law. That same year he came to Galesburg and joined the law firm of Hanlon & Ruedig, where he later became a name partner. In addition to his private practice, Rick served as corporation counsel for the city of Galesburg, beginning in 1980, and as a Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee for the Central District of Illinois, beginning in 1982.

Additionally, Rick served as an officer in the Knox County Bar Association, and was a member of Jaycees and Noon Lions Club.
Rick is survived by his wife, Mary; his two children, Kathleen Barber and David Barber; and his sister, Mary (Mike) Pugh.
Rick will long be remembered by all who knew him for his great wit, his warmth, his happiness in serving others, and his love for his family and friends.

Burke Miller, 88, Lincoln, died at 11:10 a.m. Thursday (March 8, 2012) at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Lincoln.

Burke was born Oct. 5, 1923, in Lincoln, the son of Leland and Catherine Burke Miller.

Burke attended grade school and high school in Lincoln. He graduated from Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., in 1943 and the University of Chicago Law School in 1945. He returned to Lincoln to join his father as third generation in the family’s law firm and actively practiced until December 1996, retiring after 50 years.

He was a longtime member of Holy Family Parish. He belonged to the Illinois State Bar Association, Logan County Bar Association, Lincoln Elks Club, Logan County Farm Bureau and Knights of Columbus. He also served on the board of directors of Lincoln Savings and Loan Association.

Burke had a passion for farming and enjoyed watching the crops mature. He was an avid and knowledgeable sports fan who enjoyed watching spring training baseball each year with his nephews in the warmth of the Tucson sun.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, family and friends, and will be remembered for his acts of simple kindness, whether it be returning from the grocery store surprising his family with a bouquet of fresh flowers and a homemade pie, or striking up a sports-related conversation with a newly found friend. Burke’s personality radiated warmth and kindness to all who had the privilege of knowing him.

He is survived by two children, Stephen Miller, Lincoln, and Rebecca (Peter) Pirmann, Carbondale.